Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and atomoxetine. They also include non-stimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine.
Stimulant medication should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse problems but they can be considered in those who are in stable remission. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves concentration and decreases impulses and hyperactivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat treating adhd and anxiety in adults intrusive thoughts treatment for adhd and ptsd combined, olderworkers.com.au,. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medications. The type prescribed will depend on the individual’s biochemistry and how well they react to the medication. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are visible. The medicine will be effective if you notice improvements in memory, concentration sleep, and impulsivity.
Some of the side effects can include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure shouldn’t take these medications. These are highly controlled drugs with the potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or in certain cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. You can get them in the form of tablets, pills, patches that go on the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often affected by weight loss and eating disorders. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. If this occurs, the doctor might reduce the dosage natural ways to treat adhd prevent the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.
About 70-80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and young people find that their symptoms improve with treatment. This is especially relevant for children with teachers, parents or caregivers who report improvements.
The early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of substance use disorders later on in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However the protective effect diminishes as we enter early adulthood.